Lions Clubs International Foundation
Our charitable arm since 1968 — how LCIF turns individual generosity into global impact, and how your club can be part of that record of giving.
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. — Helen Keller
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
- Explain LCIF's purpose, mission and the need that led to its founding.
- Describe LCIF's five areas of service and the grants that fund them.
- Outline how LCIF is governed, from the chairperson down to district coordinators.
- Identify the ways a Lion, a club or a corporation can give to LCIF and be recognized.
A foundation conceived to meet a need
LCIF is not an end in itself — it is a means to greater local and global Lions service.
Incorporated on June 13, 1968 — during our association's 51st year of service — as a public, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charity. It was originally named the Lions International Foundation, renamed Lions Clubs International Foundation in 1980, and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. Its mission: support the efforts of Lions clubs worldwide in serving their local communities and the world community. Its vision: to be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.
Five areas of service — mind map
LCIF focuses its grants in five areas so limited resources are never diluted. Tap any branch for the numbers behind it.
To date, LCIF has awarded over 12,700 grants totaling more than $924 million — and that figure doesn't even count the time, skill and local resources Lions clubs and districts donate directly to their own service projects.
Four major types of LCIF grants
Every grant type closely parallels LCIF's areas of service.
Standard Grants
The most common grant type, awarded for large humanitarian projects. Funds may cover equipment or construction, but never operating costs or salaries.
Disaster Relief Grants
Emergency grants (up to $10,000, applied for within 30 days) meet urgent needs; major catastrophe grants fund the long-term rebuild that follows.
International Assistance Grants
Matching funds of $5,000–$30,000 for a project partnership between a sponsoring club in one country and a host club in a developing country.
Core4 Grants
Up to $200,000 on a 3-to-1 matching basis for predetermined priorities in sight, disability, health or youth — aimed at making startup projects sustainable.
How LCIF is governed
From the chairperson down to coordinators in the field. Tap any box to learn more.
LCIF has received Charity Navigator's top four-star rating for four years running, placing it among the top 8% of global nonprofits.
Ways to give — and be recognized
About 75% of LCIF's income comes from Lions themselves. Tap a card to see what each level of giving unlocks.
Don't limit your search for donors to club members alone — many clubs run an annual LCIF fundraiser, encourage members to include LCIF in year-end giving, or set up automatic monthly donations.
Applying for a grant
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Start with LCIF staff
Contact LCIF staff for guidance before you begin, and check the LCIF website for the application form, supplemental materials and deadlines.
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Read, plan, endorse
Read the entire application before you start, build a comprehensive project plan backed by solid background research, and secure endorsement from the district cabinet or multiple district council.
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Show local commitment
The budget must show strong local Lions funding and involvement, and the project must serve a genuine humanitarian need that is beyond your club's own fundraising capacity.
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Submit early, report back
Submit at least 60 to 90 days before the relevant Board of Trustees or advisory committee meeting, then report your results back to LCIF and to your own community.
Grants are awarded to Lions districts, multiple districts and clubs — never to individuals. And a district may have only one International Assistance grant in process or approved at a time, so plan ahead.
A record of excellent stewardship
Every dollar counts
LCIF receives no club dues, yet 100% of every dollar donated reaches people and places in need: 80% funds grant programs directly, 20% builds long-term reserves for the future, and administrative costs are covered separately from investment income.
Independently recognized
LCIF consistently ranks among the best NGOs worldwide for program execution, communication, adaptability and accountability, according to independent ratings bodies.
Leveraged through partnerships
Local matching requirements plus partnerships with corporations, foundations and government agencies — from Johnson & Johnson to the World Health Organization — stretch every donated dollar further.
Strong grant applications vs. common pitfalls
- Contact LCIF staff before you start
- Show strong local Lions funding and involvement
- Apply 60–90 days before the relevant meeting
- Report your results back to LCIF and your community
- Waiting until the week before a Trustees meeting
- Requesting funds for salaries or operating costs
- Assuming an individual Lion, rather than a club or district, can receive a grant
- Skipping the district cabinet or council endorsement
Check yourself
Eight quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
Bring it home
- Does your club or district make an annual donation to LCIF — and could you nominate a new Melvin Jones Fellow this year?
- Which of the five areas of service — sight, youth, disaster relief, humanitarian needs or disability — matches a need you already see in your community?
- If disaster struck your area tomorrow, does your club know how to apply for an LCIF emergency grant within the 30-day window?